Off The List: Calling all coffee drinkers

If one of your first priorities in the morning is to find coffee, you’re not alone.

According to the National Coffee Association — a trade and lobbying group for coffee producers, exporters and sellers — Americans spend about $40 billion a year on coffee.

A big piece of that includes the ever-growing number of coffee shops in the U.S. Right now, there are about 25,000 in the country, which is why it seems like there’s a Dunkin’ Donuts on every corner and always a Starbucks just up the road.

In short, coffee is a big business, and something people are very passionate about. Because of that, we’re running a first-time List later this year: Locally Owned Coffee Shops.

Since we’ve never done a List like this, I’m looking for your input. Some coffee shops are local institutions — think Professor Java’s, Coffee Planet or Uncommon Grounds — but many more are recent additions to the scene.

I want to know which locally owned coffee shops you stop at, particularly ones that might be newer or a little ways off the beaten path. Send me an email at tkehoe@bizjournals.com and let me know where you're getting your caffeine fix.

And if you’re an owner or manager of a coffee shop and haven’t heard from me yet? Definitely drop me a line so I can make sure you’re included in this survey.

We’ll have more on local coffee as we get into October, so until then — drink up!